Staying Calm Leading up to the Big Day

Planning a wedding is often described as the most exciting and stressful experience for brides-to-be. The pressure of all preparations which combine to create this momentous occasion can easily become overwhelming. However, there are many activities and self-care practices to take advantage of which can alleviate stressors.

Yoga

Attending a yoga class or practicing yoga as an individual is a great way to loosen your muscles and clear your mind as you prepare for your big day.

In Ashe County, Frank and Jeannine Williams own a peaceful, quiet yoga retreat.

What led them to pursue their own yoga studio was the effect that practicing yoga had on their own lives. They wanted to share the benefits with other people. A deciding factor in their search for a location was choosing a community where yoga was not readily-accessible to residents.

Based on her knowledge and experi- ence, Jeannine would explain the benefits of yoga to a bride and/or their wedding party as a way to alleviate stress and relax. She explained the importance breathing has in practicing yoga and said some asanas (poses) are specifically designed to relieve anxiety, providing a calming and peaceful experience.

Frank spoke about the importance of carving time out of your day to turn off your phone and all outside noise.

“Yoga is a great way, as you come onto your mat, to forget about everything that is off of that mat and just be there in that particular moment,” Frank said.

Ridgetop Yoga Retreat & Cabins is for everyone, inclusive of every age and every level. The Williams’ main priority is to make people feel welcome in their classes.

Jeannine has worked with wedding parties in the past, teaching classes both at venues and at the studio. She shared that one wedding party who participated in a general class the morning of the wedding were thankful that they participated. Some brides will travel to Ridgetop Yoga Retreat & Cabins for an on-site class with their groom and/or bridal party. Jeannine recommends participating in a yoga class the day before the wedding.

One piece of advice the Williams give to those hoping to fit yoga into their busy schedule is utilizing their online studio in order to practice at their convenience. Frank emphasized that doing yoga does not have to be structured by one-hour long time windows. This is a common misconception. Yoga can be as simple as someone spending 10 minutes quietly, just breathing.

“Yoga has eight limbs and only one of them is the movement,” Frank said. “So the other seven are just as important.”

In their classes, they try to incorporate as much of the other seven limbs as they can. The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration) Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (pure contemplation).

One of the main tips the Williams offered for beginners is making sure the first class they attend is truly for beginners. Those hoping to incorporate yoga into their lives should attend different classes until they find the teacher and studio that best suits them. Jeannine shared that it is important to commit to yoga for a period of time. The more frequently you attend classes, the more you will get out of it and the more likely it is to become a routine.

Ridgetop Yoga Retreat & Cabins is located at 2161 Boggs Road in West Jefferson, North Carolina. For more information about their services or to book a class, visit their Facebook Page @Ridgetop Yoga Retreat & Cabins, call (239) 322-9942 or email Ridgetopyogaretreat@gmail.com